The day Ronaldo received a standing ovation from all Old Trafford after his star turn against Manchester United

"When Ronaldo, the European Footballer of the Year, left the field midway
through the second half, his wrecking job accomplished, Real's smiling
assassin received a moving, lengthy ovation from almost everyone within Old
Trafford."

Letting fly: Ronaldo scores one of his three goals against Manchester United in one of the most thrilling individiual performances at Old Trafford

On an evening of enchanting football at Old Trafford, David Beckham reminded Sir Alex Ferguson, Real Madrid and the watching world of his exceptional qualities, making a complete mockery of Ferguson's horrendous mistake in leaving him on the bench until midway through the second half when he charged on and struck twice.

For all Beckham's efforts and the tireless contribution of Ruud van Nistelrooy, the damage had already been done, inflicted by Ronaldo's hat-trick as Real deservedly progressed to a Champions League semi-final against Juventus. At the final whistle, Beckham swapped shirts with Zinedine Zidane, who had again so damaged Manchester United's equilibrium. Beckham may be acquiring a Real top of his own soon.

If Manchester belonged to Real, Beckham may soon belong to Real. If he moves, the England captain will certainly enjoy playing with such talents as Zidane, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Iker Casillas and Claude Makalele and the European champions' thrusting young generation, Javier Portillo and Francisco Pavon. Old Trafford know class when they see it and they applauded Real off the pitch as well as cheering Beckham, who returned their salute in the manner of a man saying his farewell.

So United won on the night, Real on aggregate but football overall. A fitting feast for the watching Alfredo Di Stefano and Sir Bobby Charlton, this was a joyous rollercoaster ride of a tie, utterly compelling to watch as attacks flowed from end to end. It was, though, a dispiriting night for Rio Ferdinand, completely humiliated by Ronaldo, for Fabien Barthez, alarmingly out of position for Ronaldo's first, and for Roy Keane, whose sluggish contribution confirmed the waning of the captain's once dominant powers.

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Yet in-between keeping check on the breathless football on view, the eye kept being drawn back to the extraordinary sight of Beckham sitting on the bench. Juan Sebastian Veron was clearly not fit enough while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hardly justified Ferguson's decision to dispense with Beckham's dead-ball expertise and work ethic.

Ferguson has never shied away from controversial selections but this Beckham gamble was ridiculous, arguably the United manager's most damaging decision since he left his goal exposed by omitting Peter Schmeichel when playing Barcelona at the Nou Camp in 1994.

Romario brutalised United's back-line that night, scoring twice against the overwhelmed Gary Walsh. Another Brazilian, Ronaldo, punished United yesterday and when the European Footballer of the Year left the field midway through the second half, his wrecking job accomplished, Real's smiling assassin received a moving, lengthy ovation from almost everyone within Old Trafford. Even the Real Madrid directors shook their head in astonishment at the marvellous tribute of the United fans.

Ferguson's worse fears about Real scoring were realised after only 11 minutes. When Veron, looking like a player who had not kicked a ball for seven weeks, lost possession lazily in Real's box, Zidane made a mockery of Ferguson's daft suggestion that he "never hurt" opponents.

Zidane was the catalyst, the link in this fine, unfolding Real move, carefully exchanging passes with Roberto Carlos, Steve McManaman and Figo before flicking a foot at the accelerator. The excellent Guti, effectively deployed in central midfield, took up the running and angled a fantastic pass to Ronaldo, whose burst of pace down the inside-right channel took him clear of the slow-responding Ferdinand. Ronaldo's shot, blending power and placement to irresistible effect, raced past Barthez. Devastating.

Embarrassment engulfed Ferdinand and Barthez. The sight of Barthez being beaten at the near-post may quicken Ferguson's desire to sign a replacement in the summer. No wonder the United manager is contemplating a cross-Pennine raid for Paul Robinson, Leeds United's England keeper.

Barthez, at least, then showed his more agile side, clawing over Figo's mis-hit; even Real's fluffed efforts were on target. How United were missing Beckham's energy, his ability to launch surges and switch play with raking passes. Maybe this was a glimpse of the future for Beckham: sitting on the bench watching Zidane and Figo.

Yet there is character in these United ranks. Ryan Giggs sent a shot skimming wide. At last, United were showing signs of life and Casillas needed to react swiftly to push away a drive from Solskjaer. The pressure brought precious, albeit brief, relief. Giggs slid the ball through for Solskjaer, whose low cross was met by Van Nistelrooy, comfortably United's best player.

Back came Real in this thoroughly absorbing tie, the stylish Spaniards regaining the lead after the interval. With United's defence left in tatters by Figo's chip which clipped the bar, Real went for the jugular again. Zidane, inevitably, ushered Roberto Carlos down the inside-left channel and the Brazilian's cross presented Ronaldo with the simplest of tap-ins.

Again, commendably, United refused to bow out meekly. Although the subdued Roy Keane was chasing shadows, showing how injuries have taken their toll, his team-mates were beginning to impose themselves. They even drew level when Veron crossed weakly and Ivan Helguera turned the ball past Casillas. Briefly, United sensed hope but Casillas saved well from Solskjaer.

Having resisted this particular flurry of a storm, Real simply raced through the gears again, Ronaldo sealing his hat-trick with an exceptional strike from 25 yards. Again Ferdinand failed to deal with the danger. Rio 0, Brazil 3.

Ferguson had to admit his mistake. He removed the ineffectual Veron, sent on Beckham and the England captain, a man determined to impress Real, promptly threatened with a menacing cross that Solskjaer headed wide. Beckham has a tendency to write his own script and he will have taken great delight in scoring, swerving a trademark free-kick past Casillas. Parity regained but, overall, paradise lost.

Beckham, sensationally, still had not finished. A lightning break from Solskjaer and Giggs send Van Nistelrooy scampering through on goal, the ball rolling across to the far-post where Beckham applied the finishing touch: 4-3 to United but they still needed two. Beckham came raiding again but Real held firm, losing on the night but winners overall and winning countless new friends for their free-flowing, imaginative football with Ronaldo and Zidane reigning supreme. No wonder Beckham fancies a spell in the Bernabeu pleasure-dome.